Studies on intravascular phagocytosis in the lung

In this paper we have shown for the first time endocytosis by intravascular lung phagocytes. Glutaraldehyde-treated erythrocytes (discocytes) homed rapidly to the rat lung as measured by scintigraphic procedures. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy showed that the discocytes are phagocytosed by macrophages, blood monocytes and granulocytes as whole cells. This process could not be inhibited by silica treatment.